Released 10 years ago today, the live-recorded ‘Dresden’ was the most essential Jan Garbarek album in a long time.

John Coltrane’s ‘Interstellar Space,’ released 45 years ago this month, is just one of jazz’s greatest final recordings.

The star-packed ‘Wakafrika,’ released 25 years ago, somehow didn’t raise Manu Dibango’s profile in the U.S.

Even with standard formats, Steve Lehman is dragging jazz into the future kicking and screaming. Tough love never sounded that good.

Released 25 years ago, Milton Nascimento’s ‘Angelus’ deftly blended jazz greats, lithe pop music and these title-worthy textures from another land.

“Spectrum” is bright, dynamic and mystifying. What else would you expect from Hiromi?

Carmen Sandim’s ‘Play Doh’ is full of surprises, as things which would not seem that attractive in theory work out beautifully.

Ben Levin, Making Movies and Mai Leisz are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

Rich Halley’s inspired collaboration provides the visionary interplay, the spirituality and, yes, the flair for melody that are hallmarks of both sides.

Standards are treated with respect, but still given a striking individuality on violinist John Pearce’s debut ‘Just Friends.’